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lordsknight185
Seeker
USA
99 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Aug 2013 : 21:37:34
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| SO I have an actual question for you Richard...But I am unsure of how to ask without being all spoilery. SO X happens in the Companions when Y happens...This will effect Aoth Fezim because X is a big thing about his character. Have you already thought about how this will affect Aoth in future brotherhood novels? ._. |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 25 Aug 2013 : 13:27:10
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| If we're talking about the same thing, yes, I have thought about it, and I believe I'll be able to handle it. |
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Therise
Master of Realmslore
1272 Posts |
Posted - 25 Aug 2013 : 20:51:40
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Question for you, Mr. Byers, about The Reaver. I know, you won't be able to give away any significant plot details, buuuuuut,... given that the book is set in the very large area of the Sea of Fallen Stars, will we see the Abolethic Soverignty or Xxiphu have any involvement in your books? Or will we get to find out what happens to Xxiphu in your book, even as a brief mention? Any chance Xxiphu will sink deep into the sea to be lost during the Sundering? 
PS: I really love the concept of Stedd and really look forward to this chapter in the Sundering!
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Female, 40-year DM of a homebrew-evolved 1E Realms, including a few added tidbits of 2E and 3E lore; played originally in AD&D, then in Rolemaster. Be a DM for your kids and grandkids, gaming is excellent for families! |
Edited by - Therise on 25 Aug 2013 20:54:48 |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 26 Aug 2013 : 14:03:47
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I guess it's not excessively spoilerish to say that The Reaver does not focus on Xxiphu or the Abolethic Sovereignty.
I like aboleths, but there are so many cool things on, under, and around the Sea of Fallen Stars that no one novel could incorporate them all. I had to select elements that would fit together to make what I hope is an entertaining, cohesive story. |
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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3563 Posts |
Posted - 26 Aug 2013 : 15:40:23
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quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
I guess it's not excessively spoilerish to say that The Reaver does not focus on Xxiphu or the Abolethic Sovereignty.
I like aboleths, but there are so many cool things on, under, and around the Sea of Fallen Stars that no one novel could incorporate them all. I had to select elements that would fit together to make what I hope is an entertaining, cohesive story.
Woo Hoo! Less killer catfish = I will read this book for sure. |
A little nonsense now and then, relished by the wisest men - Willy Wonka
"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -
John F. Kennedy, speech in Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1963
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Therise
Master of Realmslore
1272 Posts |
Posted - 26 Aug 2013 : 17:53:26
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quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
I guess it's not excessively spoilerish to say that The Reaver does not focus on Xxiphu or the Abolethic Sovereignty.
I like aboleths, but there are so many cool things on, under, and around the Sea of Fallen Stars that no one novel could incorporate them all. I had to select elements that would fit together to make what I hope is an entertaining, cohesive story.
Woohoo, excellent news, thanks! 
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Female, 40-year DM of a homebrew-evolved 1E Realms, including a few added tidbits of 2E and 3E lore; played originally in AD&D, then in Rolemaster. Be a DM for your kids and grandkids, gaming is excellent for families! |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 26 Aug 2013 : 19:52:19
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quote:
Originally posted by The Red Walker
quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
I guess it's not excessively spoilerish to say that The Reaver does not focus on Xxiphu or the Abolethic Sovereignty.
I like aboleths, but there are so many cool things on, under, and around the Sea of Fallen Stars that no one novel could incorporate them all. I had to select elements that would fit together to make what I hope is an entertaining, cohesive story.
Woo Hoo! Less killer catfish = I will read this book for sure.
I love that description of aboleths!
And I'm happy to see that we shan't see them in this book. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 26 Aug 2013 : 20:27:47
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quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
If we're talking about the same thing, yes, I have thought about it, and I believe I'll be able to handle it.
Aoth deserves a very long life. Besides, to every rule, there is always an exception, right? Perhaps this is one of those? |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 26 Aug 2013 : 20:33:00
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by The Red Walker
quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
I guess it's not excessively spoilerish to say that The Reaver does not focus on Xxiphu or the Abolethic Sovereignty.
I like aboleths, but there are so many cool things on, under, and around the Sea of Fallen Stars that no one novel could incorporate them all. I had to select elements that would fit together to make what I hope is an entertaining, cohesive story.
Woo Hoo! Less killer catfish = I will read this book for sure.
I love that description of aboleths!
And I'm happy to see that we shan't see them in this book.
I’m no big fan of the killer catfish. But I wouldn’t mind seeing them again. Catfish or not, whiskers or no whiskers, they’re still one of the most formidable and interesting races to ever grace the novel line.
Besides, Richard has the power to change a reader’s perception of what he/she likes and dislikes (or at least, most of them). I’m a living example.  |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 26 Aug 2013 : 22:15:14
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| Maybe I'll do something with the aboleths in a subsequent novel. They are, after all, a significant presence in the part of Faerûn I've written about in recent years. It seems fairly likely that some of my characters will run afoul of them eventually. |
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Therise
Master of Realmslore
1272 Posts |
Posted - 27 Aug 2013 : 01:47:57
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quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
Maybe I'll do something with the aboleths in a subsequent novel. They are, after all, a significant presence in the part of Faerûn I've written about in recent years. It seems fairly likely that some of my characters will run afoul of them eventually.
NooOoOOooo!
*cough*
**waves hand and applies Jedi mind trick powerz**
Aboleth are not the villains you're looking for.
Perhaps demons, devils, undead. Yes. Classic villains are best.
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Female, 40-year DM of a homebrew-evolved 1E Realms, including a few added tidbits of 2E and 3E lore; played originally in AD&D, then in Rolemaster. Be a DM for your kids and grandkids, gaming is excellent for families! |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 27 Aug 2013 : 04:26:09
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Your opinion is noted
For what it's worth, I have a number of other stories already in mind that do not feature aboleths, so I doubt I'll resort to them anytime soon. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 27 Aug 2013 : 14:13:39
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quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
Maybe I'll do something with the aboleths in a subsequent novel. They are, after all, a significant presence in the part of Faerûn I've written about in recent years. It seems fairly likely that some of my characters will run afoul of them eventually.
Given the realms and races involved (which are somehow linked to them), I was even half-expecting them to appear in The Spectral Blaze. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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lordsknight185
Seeker
USA
99 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2013 : 03:18:12
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They allowed R. A . Salvatore to blow up Neverwinter...Perhaps they should allow you to blow up aboleths.
Blow them up off of Faerun during the Sundering.
Blow them up forevers...and evers...and evers.
I would not complain them being in one of your books for that reason.
...Just that reason. >.> |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2013 : 05:43:40
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| Just curious...what is it about them you don't like? Do you think they're a stupid monster, period, or do you think they could be okay in some settings but don't work well in the Realms? |
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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3563 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2013 : 13:44:42
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quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
Just curious...what is it about them you don't like? Do you think they're a stupid monster, period, or do you think they could be okay in some settings but don't work well in the Realms?
I think they just dont fit the realms, I hesitate to brand anyones creation as stupid, but with me seeing a "catfish" whenever one appears in the narrative....it will never work for me. I can only hope that aat lest they fade into the background and are there for gaimning purposes, but never in fiction. They'd be great in Lovecraftian fan-fiction or somesuch. It always felt to me like they were someones favorite fantasy monster that was just thrown in to realms. For the types of things they do I prefer Mind-Flayers. And for a powerful group that feels "other-worldly", the Paherimm are about as far as I like to stretch things. |
A little nonsense now and then, relished by the wisest men - Willy Wonka
"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -
John F. Kennedy, speech in Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1963
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Edited by - The Red Walker on 28 Aug 2013 13:48:53 |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2013 : 14:25:00
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| I follow you, and actually, it has always seemed to me that psionic powers in general do not feel very Realms-ish. Thus, I rarely depict them. But I have done so on occasion, because, as you note, mind flayers (and alhoons) are cool. |
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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3563 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2013 : 14:43:51
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quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
I follow you, and actually, it has always seemed to me that psionic powers in general do not feel very Realms-ish. Thus, I rarely depict them. But I have done so on occasion, because, as you note, mind flayers (and alhoons) are cool.
Ah I forgot alhoons....yes they are cool as well, but psionics is like a curry for my cooking....a little goes along way
I would not enjoy a type like Kimmimurel(sp?) from Jarlaxle's band in every novel, it would overwhelm me.
But I greatly enjoyed the novels that did have an illithid or alhoon or two and Drizzt's encounter with the illithid community/hive mind was fun to read. |
A little nonsense now and then, relished by the wisest men - Willy Wonka
"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -
John F. Kennedy, speech in Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1963
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2013 : 15:52:21
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| On a similar note, I'm not inherently a huge fan of FR arch-devils derived from real-world mythology like Mephistopheles and Asmodeus, even though authors like Erin and Paul write about them to superb effect. Malevolent deities like Shar and Bane feel a lot more distinctly and uniquely Realms-ish to me, and when I need a Big Honking Spirit of Ultimate Evil in my stuff, I tend to look to them. |
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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3563 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2013 : 16:36:00
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quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
On a similar note, I'm not inherently a huge fan of FR arch-devils derived from real-world mythology like Mephistopheles and Asmodeus, even though authors like Erin and Paul write about them to superb effect. Malevolent deities like Shar and Bane feel a lot more distinctly and uniquely Realms-ish to me, and when I need a Big Honking Spirit of Ultimate Evil in my stuff, I tend to look to them.
I agree with you there as well....I like my fiction disconected from any real worl mythos as possible. Be it bad or good guys! |
A little nonsense now and then, relished by the wisest men - Willy Wonka
"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -
John F. Kennedy, speech in Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1963
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
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Thauranil
Master of Realmslore
India
1591 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2013 : 13:35:34
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| That was certainly an umm interesting gift you got but as you said I guess you can find D&D fans everywhere. |
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Therise
Master of Realmslore
1272 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2013 : 17:43:46
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quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
Just curious...what is it about them you don't like? Do you think they're a stupid monster, period, or do you think they could be okay in some settings but don't work well in the Realms?
I dislike the way they've been portrayed and used. They are decidedly non-humanoid, and have "alien" origins. It's been said they have an entirely alien way of thinking. The underlying idea is that they are supposed to be Cthulhu-esque, horrific and mind-numbingly terrifying.
But they have rarely been portrayed as scary, or even all that alien. They work through agents to obtain information, they essentially want to (as a far-far-far end goal) want to enslave humanoids to eventually control Toril. The way they control humanoids is no different, no scarier than a charm spell, and there's been no attempt (as far as I know) to make them horrifying: no twisting of body or spirit, no permanent deconstruction or rebuilding of their captured slaves.
The thing about Cthulu-esque themes and stories that make them scary is the gradual loss of physical humanity, destruction of the mind/soul, making people (or humanoids) do horrific things they'd never engage in otherwise, and twisting of the mind into insanity for reasons that make sense to the reader if not the victim.
But in the Realms, aboleth are really no more than "standard monsters" that happen to have psionics. They're not really any scarier or mysterious than an umber hulk or an owlbear. Dangerous in combat, depending on one's level, but not horrifyingly scary.
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Female, 40-year DM of a homebrew-evolved 1E Realms, including a few added tidbits of 2E and 3E lore; played originally in AD&D, then in Rolemaster. Be a DM for your kids and grandkids, gaming is excellent for families! |
Edited by - Therise on 04 Sep 2013 17:45:21 |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
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Thauranil
Master of Realmslore
India
1591 Posts |
Posted - 05 Sep 2013 : 13:35:16
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Unlike seemingly most of of the Internet I agree that Affleck might very well turn out to be a good Batman. After all people made just as much fuss when Heath Ledger was chosen to play the Joker and that worked out pretty well.
I will admit to having a few reservations, mostly about his ability to convincingly fight like a badass, but still overall I think its a good choice. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 05 Sep 2013 : 15:38:22
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quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
I follow you, and actually, it has always seemed to me that psionic powers in general do not feel very Realms-ish. Thus, I rarely depict them. But I have done so on occasion, because, as you note, mind flayers (and alhoons) are cool.
It is worth noting that liches (which you used in your books often, to my delight) are like psionicists in the sense that (1) they are pretty much immune to mental attacks, (2) most of their spell arsenal are permanently embedded in their minds, (3) they endure mental fatigue far better than their living counterparts, and (4) their mind/spirit survives even if their physical forms are destroyed. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
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Renin
Learned Scribe
USA
290 Posts |
Posted - 15 Sep 2013 : 15:42:15
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Hello!
I just wanted to stop by and say that I've been highly enjoying all your novels as of late.
I had fallen from the fold (yes, due to 4th Ed), but seeing such reviews, I had to come back, and have really taken to the Brotherhood.
I highly enjoyed the 'Haunted Lands' and have been going through the Brotherhood series as soon as I can get copies. Looking to start Book 3 soon!
So, no matter the time period or edition, it's fantastic to see an author bring to life memorable characters put into fantastic situations. Also, being able to explore such different lands of Faerun through the Brotherhood has been great as well.
I truly hope that there will be more (but, I have to see how it all ends first!)
Thanks; a fan. |
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Questions for Richard Lee Byers
